Forum Discussion

Casi's avatar
Casi
Explorer
Dec 12, 2016

Is there a way to check out new Tailgater at home?

I mean, is there a way to use my home connection to see if everything works without turning on my subscription with Dish?

This ended up kinda of being a Christmas present for us. We probably won't be taking any trips for a few months. Since I ordered it new off of E-bay I would like to make sure that it works and we know how to use it.

Is there a way to hook it up to my home unit?

Thanks for all your help!
  • dan-nickie's avatar
    dan-nickie
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2016
    If your home unit is NOT a Hopper, you should be able to hook it up.
    You will have to run a Check switch and set the proper antenna type.
    The instructions should be in the manual.
  • Casi's avatar
    Casi
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2016
    I think mine is a Hopper. I have Joeys in the bedrooms; is that a Hopper then? So there is no way except to activate it with Dish?
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Dec 12, 2016
    As long as you have an active account with a 211 receiver then you can just move the connection to the Tailgater. Dish does not care what antenna you have their hardware connected to or where you are located as long as the hardware is compatible with the antenna type.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2016
    You don't need a subscription to do a check switch and it will tell you if it found all satellites.
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Dec 13, 2016
    K Charles wrote:
    You don't need a subscription to do a check switch and it will tell you if it found all satellites.


    Even more than this....there are a couple Dish info channels available WITHOUT any subscription. So go ahead and hook it up in your RV without turning on your account and see what happens.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Dec 13, 2016
    Casi wrote:
    I think mine is a Hopper. I have Joeys in the bedrooms; is that a Hopper then? So there is no way except to activate it with Dish?


    The Tailgater will not work with a Hopper. Period. If that's what you have at home you will have to have a 211 receiver. If you have the 211 and just want to check to see if that works you can do that without a subscription. Just hook it up and follow the Tailgater instructions.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Dec 13, 2016
    The Tailgater is designed to work with SPECIFIC Dish Network Receivers.. LIke the VIP 211 series.

    If you have the receiver, hook it up.. IT should initalize, and if I'm not mistaken download the program gude... But if you try to watch anything other than the Brag Channels and perhaps NASA it will say "Not subscribed".

    Dish can not authorize the receiver till it locks on after all.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jan 03, 2017
    If your RV is at home you will need

    A length of RG-6 Coax (You are going to need that later so get it now)
    a Compatible Receiver like a VIP-211.

    A clear view of the S.W. Sky (Use a Sat finder app on a smart phone to verify)

    And possibly and extension cord

    Hook it up and see if it works.

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